WRAL Sports Fan

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Mason Earns First Win As Bulls Down Richmond

By Durham, NC

Apr 29, 2008

A strong start from Chris Mason propelled the Durham Bulls to a 4-0 victory over the defending Governors' Cup Champion Richmond Braves Tuesday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, evening the teams' three-game series at one apiece.

Mason (1-3, 4.38) threw 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his first Triple-A win, fanning eight Braves and allowing only six hits and two walks. Nick DeBarr and Dale Thayer came on in relief to finish off the shutout for the Bulls.

Durham leapt out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first when Fernando Perez led off with a double, Elliot Johnson walked and Justin Ruggiano doubled them both in. Reid Brignac singled in a run in third and doubled in another in the fifth. Jo-Jo Reyes (1-1, 1.17) lasted only two innings in taking the loss.

The Bulls and Braves meet in the rubber match of their three-day series tomorrow morning at 11:05 a.m., Education Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Mitch Talbot (1-3, 7.71) will start for Durham, and left-hander Mike Hampton will go for the Braves as he makes a major league rehabilitation start.